eidxiety | Sticks & Bones // IC Inbox

...uh-huh, that's normally how that goes? It's a tight fit, but you won't have to sleep on top of me unless you want to.

[Ain is going up the ladder now to lay against the spot by the wall, sitting with his head propped on his hand and gazing down at Add from over the bedrail.]

I could get a bigger one, if you think this is too small, I guess? Haha~. Why don't you come up here and tell me?

[This is it. This is how he dies. He somehow survived the kiss, but sleeping right next to Ain, Known Cuddler, without any means to escape...

He swallows thickly, then... lifts himself up to bed-level with Dynamo, looking way too visibly nervous for a guy climbing into a bed he shares with his boyfriend. Because Ain is still his boyfriend. This is a thing he already decided on and accepted, so this shouldn't be weird at all, right? This is normal??

He looks around like he's scrutinizing the bed space even though it's really obvious he's just stalling. He's nervous don't make fun of him]

... bigger... wouldn't be worse. Isn't more space objectively a good thing? [please don't say you prefer tight spaces he might cry]

Haha, this whole thing with the desk is one set, so you're going to help me build a bigger loft bed if you want one. I guess a bigger desk for you won't go amiss either. We don't exactly have infinite space in here, though.

[Tragically, Add is going to have to deal with Ain getting his hands on string lights after this and absolutely covering every single wall and object with them. "We don't have infinite space" he'll say before occupying 50% of it with lights and trinkets. RIP.

He opens his arms to Add, head falling down onto the pillows.]

Why don't you test how comfy it is by falling into my arms~?

I can build a desk. [can he????] I'll put it at the top of my priorities. We'll expand the size by at least 1.5x, that should give us plenty to work with...

[But for now... they just have this bed. And he's being asked to lay down and try it.

No, he's being asked to fall into Ain's arms like a lovey-dovey couple. Add can't help but make a face. This should be a simple task to complete, and yet...]

S... sure. Yeah.

[He... crawls onto the opposite end of the bed. Not much space here for a second person without making physical contact, but he is trying. Maybe it's like stepping into a pool? If he acclimates first the rest won't be as bad?]

[Add...

Too bad Ain's a big ol' cuddly dumbass and will not give him time to acclimate, the second Add even gets onto the bed he's being snapped up by this hungry piranha he calls a partner and hugged.]

Haha, tight fit, huh?

[Add's whole body jolts on contact, instantly ruining Ain's hair. He doesn't try to run, at least, but he goes completely still like a wild animal trying to play dead while Ain engulfs him in a powerful, inescapable hug. Dynamo jitters in the air next to the bed, unable to do anything to save their master.]

Yeah. [squeaking like air out of a balloon... girl help,]

[Ow—

Somehow, this does not convince him to let go. He's pulling Add down and laying his tail over the man's legs, leaving him minimal avenue to escape as Ain squashes his face right into Add's shoulder.

The tip of his tail is wagging. Thump thump thump.]

Finally, I get to do this when you're sober!

[Well! He did say he'd have to get used to the shocks! So this is good! That he's not just pushing Add away!

He's still in shock, so he focuses most of his attention on... the thumping tail. Ain is going to bruise his legs with that. Does this mean dragons are kind of like dogs, or is that just Ain's dog-like behaviour...?]

... Not a lot of room to move around. Fifty... no, sixty percent more space would be ideal... [mumble mumble]

You want to double the size of the bed? Our room isn't that massive, you know.

[Ain is definitely golden retriever coded, yeah. His tail is always wagging, he's sorry about the future bruising. He'll heal it, he's just so happy right now he's not thinking about the repercussions of that fat-ass tail of his.

Anyway, he plants a kiss to Add's shoulder. Good luck.]

I'll go easy on you, don't worry~. It's not like I sleep shirtless or anything.

It's not doubled. That'd be one hundred percent more, not sixty.

[He sighs at Ain's shitty math, but now that he's been laying like this for awhile... it is pretty comfortable, even with the fat tail beating up his legs. It really is like acclimating to a pool?

The shoulder kiss makes him second guess that analysis, but in the end, he is still laying here without bursting into flames. Maybe... it won't be that bad? Yeah. He can totally handle this and not be weird about it. He tries to relax, staring awkwardly at the ceiling.]

I've never really... shared a bed, before. So. I-if there's anything I should know, like preferences, or... if we go to sleep at different times, I'll try not to be too disruptive. Electrical buildup shouldn't happen while I'm sleeping, but I've never tested it under these conditions before... [he's babbling nervously again, why does his brain always do this]

[God Add I hope you're morosexual because—]

If it's fifty percent, that means you're halving the bed and adding that half onto it. Which is doubling it. [NO, IT'S NOT. IT'S REALLY NOT.]

...anyway, there's nothing weird you have to do. It's a bed. You sleep when you're tired, and if I'm here, you don't have to worry about waking me up. I don't have to sleep anyway, I just do it sometimes when I have nothing better to do. [Angels, man.] I'm more interested in getting to cuddle with you. If you shock me, I'll get over it. Stop worrying so much~.

Urghh— no, you're halving it and adding half. So it's three halves. That's not even close to doubled. [he still hasn't figured it out yet but yeah, thank fuck.

Ain doesn't even need to sleep, he just wants to cuddle... somehow, that only makes him worry more. What if... he's a bad cuddler? Is there still a chance he might get dumped because Ain didn't realize just how bad of a boyfriend Add would be? These are the stressful thoughts that plague Add's mind.]

... it's really warm up here. Maybe I should set up air conditioning...

It's 'cause there's two of us... and you're flustered. Haha, you don't have to worry about anything, but we could see about installing something like that if it makes you feel better.

[Let go of your stressful thoughts. Put them in the trash where they belong. Ain is going to kiss Add's cheek now, slow and soft and sweet. Please take a deep breath.]

I run cold, so maybe you should hold my hand? It might cool you off~. [he is Going to keep trying to rizz add sorry not sorry]

[He sighs, reluctantly losing himself in Ain's affections. It's in his nature to overthink everything, but when Ain is this close and wrapped all around him... maybe the answer all along is to just focus on that, and not whatever the hell he might be doing wrong. He can intuit his errors based on Ain's reactions...

With that reasoning in mind, he shifts around to free his arm, seeking out Ain's hand. The gloves lessen the impact of it, but he entwines their fingers nonetheless.

...

This isn't cooling him off at all, but the difference in hand-temperature is something new to focus on. He breathes in and out slowly, running the numbers through his head.]

... thermal exchange like that only works in the short term. Once the heat balances out, the difference won't be that noticeable.

Mmhmm, but maybe you'll calm down a little if you get used to it? Then you won't run so hot.

[Realistically, Ain could throw off the entire balance right now by giving Add a massive kiss, but he knows he should at least offer the poor flustered man some reprieve. He's just overjoyed that Add actually agreed to hold his hand... sorry about the tail wags again, but this time he manages to kick his tail off to the opposite side of the bed before it really starts to hurt.]

You're cute, you know, but you're going to give yourself upper back pain if you hold your shoulders that stiffly. I'm not going to bite you, y'know.

[well he might but—]

What are you, a chiropractor? My shoulders are fine.

[He sighs loudly, giving Ain's hand a threatening(?) squeeze. You want him to relax? Fine! Maybe he WILL!

...

...

Huh. This is actually pretty comfortable. Even with Ain clinging so close their faces are almost touching...

Feeling bold, he turns his head a little. From here, barely a hair's breadth away, he can see all the patterns and bands in Ain's eyes, the delicate curve of his lashes, wisps of silver hair that frame his face in sweeping waves... objectively speaking he always knew Ain was pretty, but he never really felt it appropriate to take an in depth look. Since he wasn't into guys.

Thought he wasn't into guys. Actually may have been into guys and had no idea how to check. Well. He sure is checking now.

He lets his gaze linger for a little too long, studying Ain's complexion very seriously.]

You... have a very symmetrical face.

[???????????????

he's trying]

[...snrrrk.

Sorry, he doesn't mean to laugh, but Add has such a unique charm to him. He is quite symmetrical, isn't he?]

You're close enough to count all the freckles the sun gave me, too. [This group has never heard of sunscreen probably.] I'm pretty sure those are uneven, though.

[If his hands weren't occupied, he'd put one on Add's face, but the angle makes it so that he's lying on one arm and his hand is obviously being held. If he wanted the other man to sneeze, he'd do it with the tip of his tail... Ain will behave, and instead stare perhaps too long at the curve of Add's lips.

See, unlike someone here, Ain has had his fair share of staring. That's his pasttime, one could say; he is "guarding the El Search Party" and by that he means "objectifying men".]

Either way, you have pretty eyes, and a cute nose~. And your lips look soft. You don't mind if I press them against mine, right?

[He also uses his eyes to read too many romance novels and recite lines he's memorized that he thinks are really cool. Sorry.]

D-don't laugh! [HEATING UP AGAIN all that hand-holding and for what!!!!] Freckles don't count, it's all about the facial structure! I'm saying you're attractive, alright?!

[It really doesn't take much to fluster him... but he honestly is trying here. He can't leave Ain to take the lead every time. Different people have different priorities when it comes to physical attraction, so he just has to experiment until he finds what features Ain prefers to hear commented on. If he can master at least that much on his own...

Of course, Ain effortlessly counters his earlier attempt at courtship. He manages to hold his ground this time, staring back with only a little anxiety in his eyes. He... can do this. He can initiate.

Rather than answer, Add's eyes flutter half-closed, and... he leans in, pressing his lips to Ain's.

He's still figuring out the optimal kissing rotation, but Dynamo has been taking detailed notes for him since the first time, so hopefully his research will start paying off soon.]

[That's the thing, Add: Ain likes any form of compliment, and he's endlessly charmed by all of them. His face is symmetrical? So true bestie. He's attractive? Cute and sweet of him. Frankly Add could say something like "your braid isn't fucked up today" and Ain would think this is so very adorable of him to point out. He has no basis for compliments, compliments are when you say something generally positive about a person so anything that can be read positively counts, obviously.

He's not expecting Add to initiate, though, and makes a brief, almost kittenlike "mrrp!" of surprise before he's grinning into the kiss. Surely this is not at all conducive to Add feeling confident and like he knows what he's doing, but this is yet another thing Ain can't help. He squeezes Add's hand where their fingers are interlocked, reminding himself not to push too hard this time. Do not lick him. Behave.

This time, he'll make sure the movements of his lips are gentle and slow, easy for Add to copy but with minimal pressure if he feels like he can't. Eventually his stupid smile will fall off his face, but today doesn't seem to be that day, if the way he giggles after a moment is anything to go by.

Sigh. Add makes him so giddy.]

[Oh, he likes that reaction out of Ain. They're both smiling into it now, some of the anxiety melting away as Add breathes out little kukukus against Ain's lips. Clearly, this means he's winning(?). And if they're both giggling stupidly over it, he can't get all self-conscious about Ain making maybe fun of him, either... no, he can't be, since this is an act of pure domination(?????).

It's nice. He does feel confident. Maybe... this isn't as hard as he thought it would be? Maybe he should just trust his instincts...

He squeezes that hand back, light spiralling up Add's arm as he does so—he did warn Ain that he'd have to start liking the electrical shocks, so they're putting that to the test. It's more of a gentle contact-tingle this time instead of an involuntary jolt, at least, adding just a hint of bite to their skin-to-skin contact.]

[The little shocks almost tickle. Maybe the jolts aren't so bad; stronger ones have hurt in the past, but he could get used to those. Sparks are something Ain is starting to recognize as affectionate now, instead of inherently hostile... time will tell what this does to his monkey brain.

Another giggle, and he's parting briefly to comment centimeters from Add's lips:]

That sort of tickles... haha, you're doing good, though~.

[See, Add, you're not bad at kissing! The expert kisser says so. Though perhaps it says more that he comes packed with Add-bias; they could be clicking teeth right now and Ain would still manage to find enjoyment in it.]

Seems like you're enjoying it, too~.

Sticks & Bones // IC Inbox

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cw: handholding and kissing before marriage

ooh the cops are gonna getchu now...

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